Shield for hypodermic syringe

ABSTRACT

A shield for a hypodermic syringe adapted to surround the barrel thereof to protect the user against radiation emanating from radioactive fluids contained therein. The shield is lead-lined, and is provided with a bayonet fitting element engaging the manually engaged end of the syringe. A coil spring cooperates with the bayonet fitting element to prevent wobbling between the barrel of the syringe and the barrel of the shield. The barrel of the shield is so configured that a small end of the barrel of the syringe is uncovered to permit visual inspection of flow to and from the syringe.

Langan 1111 3,820,541 June 28, 1974 SHIELD FOR HYPODERMlC SYRINGE [76] Inventor: James Langan, 100 Glenroe Dr.,

' Baltimore, Md. 21228 [22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.5 287,719

[52] US. Cl ..l 128/215, 128/2 A, 128/1.l [51] Int. Cl. A6lm 5/00, A61b 6/10 [58] Field of Search 128/215, 216, 2 R, 2 A,

l28/l.1, 1.2, 218 R, 218 A, 218 c, 218 D, 218 F, 221; 206/63.2 R, 63.2 A, 63.4, 17.5, 43, 1.5; 222/15 173 3,628,523 12/1971 Pirtle, Jr. 128/2 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 598,205 9/1959 ltaly 206/43 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. C. McGowan Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles E, Temko [57] ABSTRACT A shield for a hypodermic syringe adapted to surround the barrel thereof to protect the user against radiation emanating from radioactive fluids contained therein. The shield is lead-lined, and is provided with a bayonet fitting element engaging the manually engaged end of the syringe. A coil spring cooperates with the bayonet fitting element to prevent wobbling between the barrel of the syringe and the barrel of the shield. The barrel of the shield is so configured that a small end of the barrel of the syringe is uncovered to permit visual inspection of flow to and from the syringe.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART It is known in the art to surround radioactive materials with lead barriers to prevent radiation from passing therethrough. Prior art devices of this type have included tubular shields which are positionable upon the barrel of a syringe. Such devices have suffered from a variety of disadvantages, including difficulty in engaging and disengaging the same from a hypodermic syringe barrel, and in addition, they have tended to obscure visual inspection of the flow of fluid to and from the syringe barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE'PRESENT INVENTION Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a device including a relatively rigid outer barrel which is lined with a tubular lead shield, the same being adapted to fit upon the barrel of a hypodermic syringe. One end of the shield is provided with a bayonet mount which engages the laterally extending finger-engaging flanges on the plunger end of the syringe, the bayonet mounting construction forming a recess into which a coil spring is seated, the coil spring having a line of action extending past the bayonet lugs, so that the syringe barrel may be conveniently inserted and rotated to fixed position, being maintained in such position by the action of the spring urging the laterally extending projections against the bayonet lugs. The barrel of the syringe is relatively loosely fitted with respect to the lead lining of the shield, so that little if any force is required to disconnect the shield from the syringe. The length of the shield is such that a very small segment of the barrel is exposed to view adjacent the needle mounting means, so that the flow of fluid to and from the barrel through the needle may be readily observed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention in conjunction with a conventional hypodermic syringe.

FIG. 2 is a similar side elevational view showing the barrel of the syringe in fully engaged condition with respect to the device.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view as seen from the righthand portion of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a main barrel element 1 1, a bayonet fitting element l2 and a coil spring member 13.

The main barrel element 11 is of hollow tubular construction, and includes an outer sleeve 16 of brass or other relatively rigid metallic material. The sleeve 16 is bounded by a first end edge 17, a second end edge 18, an outer surface 19 and an inner surface 20. Disposed within the sleeve 16 is a lead sleeve 21 of coextensive dimensions, and bounded by a first end edge 22, a second end edge 23, an outer surface 24 and an inner surface 25.

The bayonet fitting element 12 is fitted upon one end of the main barrel element 11, and is also preferably of tubular brass construction. It is bounded by an inner surface 28, an outer surface 29, a first end edge and a second end edge 31. A pair of L-shaped indentations 32 define corresponding bayonet lugs 33 surrounding a tubular recess 34 in which the coil spring member 13 is frictionally engaged.

Referring to FIG. 1 in the drawing, a conventional syringe 35 is shown prior to insertion within the shield. The syringe 35 includes a needle element 36 detachably interconnected at one end of a barrel element 37 by means of a needle fitting 38. A tubular portion 39 of the barrel element extends rightwardly to terminate in a pair of laterally extending manually engageable tabs 40 immediately adjacent the outer end of the plunger 41.

The syringe 35-is assembled within the device 10 by moving the same as shown in FIG. 2. to a point where the tabs or projections 40 enter the L-shaped indentations 32, following which a clockwise twist engages them beneath the lugs 33. They are retained in this position by the force exerted by the thereby compressed spring 13. It will be observed in FIG. 2 that the lower end of the barrel portion 37 projects outwardly of the main barrel element so as to be clearly visible during use. In the condition shown in FIG. 2, the syringe may be used in well known manner, and may be conveniently removed when required by merely exerting a counterclockwise twist to the laterally extending projections on the barrel thereof. Once disconnected, the device may be autoclaved or otherwise rendered in sterile condition without damage, and the spring member 13 may be conveniently removed and replaced as required.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A shield for a hypodermic syringe for protecting the user against the radiation of radioactive fluids contained in the barrel of the syringe comprising: a main barrel element including an outer cylindrical sleeve of relatively rigid material and defining a cylindrical bore, a sleeve of radiation shielding material supported upon an inner surface of said outer sleeve, and substantially co-extensive therewith, a bayonet fitting element of tubular configuration, one end thereof being fitted upon an end of .said main barrel element, and forming a pair of bayonet lugs extending from a second end thereof, said bayonet fitting element defining a cylindrical recess coaxial with the principal axis of said main barrel element, and a coil spring disposed within said recess engaging said end of said main barrel element and having an axially oriented line of action cooperating with said bayonet lugs.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 in combination with a hypodermic syringe barrel having a pair of 5 

1. A shield for a hypodermic syringe for protecting the user against the radiation of radioactive fluids contained in the barrel of the syringe comprising: a main barrel element including an outer cylindrical sleeve of relatively rigid material and defining a cylindrical bore, a sleeve of radiation shielding material supported upon an inner surface of said outer sleeve, and substantially co-extensive therewith, a bayonet fitting element of tubular configuration, one end thereof being fitted upon an end of said main barrel element, and forming a pair of bayonet lugs extending from a second end thereof, said bayonet fitting element defining a cylindrical recess coaxial with the principal axis of said main barrel element, and a coil spring disposed within said recess engaging said end of said main barrel element and having an axially oriented line of action cooperating with said bayonet lugs.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 in combination with a hypodermic syringe barrel having a pair of lAterally extending projections on one end thereof, said projections compressing said spring and engaging said lugs. 